Kiugak (Kiawak) Ashoona O.C., R.C.A.
BIRD SPIRIT
KIAWAK ASHOONA O.C., R.C.A. (1933-2014), CAPE DORSET / KINGAIT
BIRD SPIRIT
stone, signed in syllabics, 1988
18" x 11" x 8" — 45.7 x 27.9 x 20.3 cm.
Literature:
Darlene Coward Wight, Kiugak Ashoona, Stories and Imaginings from Cape Dorset, Winnipeg Art Gallery, page 19
Note:
“Kiugak created a series of impressive ‘bird spirit’ carvings over his career. [...] In 2008 interviews, he made it clear that these sculptures depicted the bird shaman, Natturalik (Golden Eagle), from a story told to him by Kiakshuk and others. It is a story about the eagle that abducts a young woman and takes her to his cliff top nest where she becomes his wife. Kiugak described the beginning of the story as involving two girls who were playing together. They pretended to have husbands, using the bones of a bowhead whale. One of the bones turned into an eagle: Natturalik.”
Estimate: $7,000—10,000
BIRD SPIRIT
stone, signed in syllabics, 1988
18" x 11" x 8" — 45.7 x 27.9 x 20.3 cm.
Literature:
Darlene Coward Wight, Kiugak Ashoona, Stories and Imaginings from Cape Dorset, Winnipeg Art Gallery, page 19
Note:
“Kiugak created a series of impressive ‘bird spirit’ carvings over his career. [...] In 2008 interviews, he made it clear that these sculptures depicted the bird shaman, Natturalik (Golden Eagle), from a story told to him by Kiakshuk and others. It is a story about the eagle that abducts a young woman and takes her to his cliff top nest where she becomes his wife. Kiugak described the beginning of the story as involving two girls who were playing together. They pretended to have husbands, using the bones of a bowhead whale. One of the bones turned into an eagle: Natturalik.”
Estimate: $7,000—10,000
Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Lot # | Low Est | High Est | Sold Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-11-22 | Waddington's | 103 | 7,000 | 10,000 | 8,400.00 |
